Your mental health and emotional well-being are important aspects of your overall health. In fact, they are just as important as your physical health. Your mental health can be affected by medical conditions such as depression. Environmental factors, such as your job, also make an impact.

Understand how you stress.

Stress is experienced and managed differently by each individual.

Some things that may be stressful for some may serve as a trigger for others to become productive.

It is important for you to know what types of situations make you feel different than you do most of the time.

For example, stress may be related to your children, family, health, financial decisions, work, relationships or something else. Meditation can be an effective help.

Find healthy ways to manage stress.

For instance, build your self-esteem.

The ways in which you cope with stress are unique to your personality.

Keep in mind that unhealthy behaviors develop over time and can be difficult to change. Don’t take on too much at once.

Consider healthy, stress-reducing activities that work best for you such as exercising or talking things out with friends or family, listening to music, writing, or spending time with a friend or relative. Focus on changing only one behavior at a time.

Take care of yourself.

We generally do a good job of attending to our own needs. However, at times we can take on more than we can manage.

No matter how hectic life gets, make time for yourself — even if it’s just simple things like reading a good book or listening to your favorite music.

Eat right, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water and engage in regular physical activity. Take regular vacations or other breaks from work.

Reach out for support.

Although it can be difficult to open up to others about your life and problems, sometimes not holding things inside can help with decreasing your stress. Accepting help from supportive friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress.

If you continue to feel overwhelmed by stress, you may want to talk to a psychologist, who can help you better manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.

Your emotional health can be related to your social life, your romantic life, and your own mindset.

Engage in healthy relationship behaviors

No matter what your situation is, you can take steps to improve your mental and emotional health. First, make it a priority. Once you evaluate your needs, you can begin finding ways to meet them. You can also ask family and friends to help you on your way towards improved mental health.

Designer: Ngoc Anh Nguyen

Thaopham

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